Lee-Enfield modification

[Jesse Heywood]

I recently had a Lee-Enfield handed to me with a challenge to do something with the gun.

It is a Lee-Enfield Mk. I*, dated 1915. It has been shortened by the legendary gunsmith Bubba. The heavily corroded barrel has been cut and drilled. Stock was modified but might be of use as a club. But, if it weren’t for Bubba, we wouldn’t have a supply of low-cost guns to work on.

I am considering rebarreling this in either .223 Rem or .300 Blackout. Both can use the bolt head produced by Craig Whitsey.

I would like to hear your opinions on the feasibility of this modification on the Mk I. I am aware that there was a change with the No. 4, that made headspace adjustment easier. What I don’t know is if the Whitsey head can be used with the Mk. I. And are there any other differences that will give me nightmares?

Thanks

 

[carbine85]

So what you have is a receiver and bolt to work with?
What's your budget?

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Yes, a receiver with a bolt.
Budget, I'm not worried about. I know about what the cost of the barrel, stock, and bolt head will be.

 

[Jim Watson]

I do not think No 1 and No 4 bolt heads are interchangeable.
I would ask Mr Whitsey before I started bending metal.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

The bolt heads are different between a no 1 and a no 4. I wish I knew of a source for a new .303 barrel for my aging no. 4 or no 5 and a gunsmith up to the task.

 

[j1]

Value

If you ever have a big pile of valuable papers and the wind starts picking up you could use those parts to save the papers.

 

[carbine85]

I would go for the 300 BO simply because everyone has a .223. My next build will be a 300 BO.

 

[bainter1212]

The bolt heads are different between a no 1 and a no 4. I wish I knew of a source for a new .303 barrel for my aging no. 4 or no 5 and a gunsmith up to the task.

Criterion has been promising to produce new milspec barrels for the No 4 for the last two years. They even announced it on their website. No ETA as of yet. I have a beautiful No 4 that has dangerously excessive headspace that I want to have rebarreled.

Brian Dick at BDL ltd. Can do the barrel swap for you. He has agreed to do mine once I can get a new barrel.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Barrel isn't a problem. Was figuring on buying a blank, then turning and threading my own.

 

[LAGS]

I am sure you can rebarrel the LE to one of those calibers, but both produce chamber pressures in excess of what the rifle can safely handle.
Then even if you can modify the bolt head, or get a custom #1 replacement, the rifle would end up as a single shot, or you will have to totally redesign the magazine to fit the cartridges.
I have made #1's in .444 Marlin and one in a 45/70 that worked fine with the original bolt head, but you still have to rework the magazine to feed properly.
The LE is not the strongest action around and the #1's action is not nearly as strong as the #4.
I would like to rebarrel a LE#4 to 7.62x54 R but can not find a .310 or .311 barrel

 

[sauer8mm]

Check out efdrifles.com. Two British gentlemen working on a shop in Kent, Britain. They where working in one of the latest Enfield factorys until it closed down. You can buy parts and rifles. I even think they ship to the states..

 

[dprice3844444]

try mcgowen bbls on the #4bbl

 

[DougW]

The unfortunate thing here is that it is an LSA (London Small Arms Co) rifle, which is a bit rare. Too far gone to be restored, so have fum rebuilding and creating!

 

[Panzerschwein]

I think a threaded Enfield and a suppressor in .300 BLK would be the Bee's Knee's!\

Just an ah-duhr. (idea).